How to reconnect a Roku remote without using the pairing button
If your Roku remote has stopped responding and the pairing button on the back is broken, missing, or not working, you can still reconnect it using the TV's menu system. The process takes about two minutes and works on almost every Roku device made in the last five years. You will need to navigate using your TV remote or the Roku mobile app instead of the Roku remote itself — that is the catch, but it is temporary.
The reason this works: Roku remotes pair through your TV's settings, not through the remote alone. The pairing button is just a shortcut. When you tell the TV to search for a remote through its menu, it listens for any remote trying to connect, and your Roku remote will respond even if the button is broken.
Key Takeaways
- You can pair a Roku remote through your TV's settings menu without touching the pairing button on the back of the remote.
- You will need either your TV remote, a second Roku remote, or the Roku mobile app to navigate the menu while you pair.
- The remote must have working batteries and be within 30 feet of the TV for pairing to succeed.
- If the remote still will not pair after trying this method, the remote itself may be damaged and need replacement.
Pairing through your Roku TV's settings menu
Start by turning on your TV and grabbing whatever remote you have available — your TV remote, another Roku remote, or your phone with the Roku app installed. You will use this to navigate while the broken remote sits nearby.
On your TV remote, press the Home button to open the Roku home screen. Navigate to Settings (usually in the top right corner of the menu). Go to Remotes and Devices, then select Remote. You should see an option that says "Pair New Remote" or "Add Remote" — the exact wording depends on your Roku model and software version, but it will be in this section.
Select that option. Your TV will now search for a remote to pair. At this point, pick up the broken remote and press any button on it — the arrow buttons, the OK button, the Home button, anything. The remote does not need the pairing button to send a signal; it just needs to transmit something. Hold the button for two seconds. Your TV should recognize the remote within 10 seconds and show a confirmation message.
Once you see the confirmation, the remote is paired. Test it by pressing a few buttons. If it responds, you are done. If it does not, try the process again — sometimes the TV does not hear the signal on the first attempt, especially if the remote is far away or the batteries are weak.
What to do if you do not have another remote or the app
If you have no way to navigate your TV's menu, you have two options: borrow a remote temporarily or use the Roku mobile app.
The Roku app (available free on iOS and Android) can control your TV over WiFi once you have it installed and signed into your Roku account. read the app, sign in with the same account linked to your TV, and select your device from the list. You can then navigate the Settings menu exactly as described above using your phone. This is often faster than finding a borrowed remote.
If you want to borrow a remote, any Roku remote will work temporarily — it does not have to be the same model as yours. A friend's remote, a remote from a different Roku device you own, or even a universal remote programmed for Roku will let you navigate the menu long enough to pair your broken remote.
Why the pairing button might not be working
The pairing button on the back of a Roku remote is a physical switch that puts the remote into pairing mode. If it is stuck, broken, or missing, the remote cannot enter pairing mode on its own — but it can still respond when the TV calls for a remote to pair.
Common reasons the button fails: the button is physically stuck and will not depress, the plastic around it is cracked, water damage has corroded the switch inside, or the button was never there (some older or replacement remotes lack it). None of these prevent the remote from working once it is paired; they only prevent you from pairing it the normal way.
If the remote was working before and suddenly stopped, the pairing button failure is usually not the problem — the remote has likely lost its pairing entirely. The method above will restore it. If the remote never worked or stopped working after water damage, the issue may be deeper than pairing, and you may need a replacement.
Troubleshooting if the remote still will not pair
If your TV does not recognize the remote after you press buttons during the pairing search, try these steps in order.
First, replace the batteries. Weak batteries are the most common reason pairing fails. Use fresh alkaline batteries (AA or AAA depending on your remote model) and make sure they are inserted with the correct polarity — the + side should face up. Wait 10 seconds after inserting new batteries, then try pairing again.
Second, move the remote closer to the TV. Roku remotes use infrared or radio frequency depending on the model. Infrared remotes need a clear line of sight to the TV's sensor (usually on the front or bottom bezel). Radio frequency remotes work through walls but still need to be within 30 feet. If your remote is in another room, bring it into the same room as the TV and try again.
Third, restart your TV. Unplug the TV from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once it boots up, go back to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote and select Pair New Remote again. Sometimes the TV's pairing system gets stuck and needs a restart to listen for new remotes.
If the remote still will not pair after these steps, the remote itself may have internal damage beyond the pairing button. At that point, a replacement remote is usually the most practical solution.
Pairing a replacement remote if yours cannot be fixed
If you decide to replace the remote, the new one will pair using the same method — through your TV's Settings menu. Roku replacement remotes cost between $20 and $35 depending on the model and whether you want voice control features.
When you receive the new remote, insert batteries, navigate to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote > Pair New Remote on your TV, and press any button on the new remote. It should pair when ready. You can then remove the old remote from your account by going back to Remotes and Devices and selecting the old remote's name, then choosing Unpair or Remove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be signed into my Roku account to pair a remote?
No. Pairing happens between the remote and the TV hardware, not through your account. You can pair a remote on any Roku TV regardless of which account is signed in. However, if you use the Roku mobile app to navigate the pairing menu, you will need to sign into your account in the app first.
Will pairing a new remote erase my saved passwords and apps?
No. Pairing a remote only connects the remote to the TV. It does not affect your apps, passwords, or any settings on the TV itself. Your TV will work exactly as it did before.
Can I pair multiple remotes to the same TV?
Yes. You can pair as many remotes as you want to a single Roku TV. Repeat the pairing process for each remote. All of them will control the TV at the same time, which is useful if you have multiple remotes in different rooms.
What if my TV does not have a Settings menu option for pairing remotes?
Very old Roku devices (before 2015) may not have this menu option. If you cannot find Remotes and Devices in Settings, try pressing the pairing button on the remote itself for 10 seconds while pointing it at the TV. If the button is broken, contact Roku support or consider a replacement remote, as older models have fewer workarounds.
Can I use a non-Roku remote to control my Roku TV?
Some universal remotes can be programmed to work with Roku, but they will not pair through the Roku pairing system. You would need to program them using the universal remote's own instructions. For most people, a Roku remote is simpler and more reliable.